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Wednesday, July 13, 2016

ANC says Mabulu’s latest exhibition is a grotesque act of vulgarity

Natasha
Mabuto

13 July
2016

The African National Congress has
condemned the latest set of paintings depicting President Jacob Zuma by
controversial artist Ayanda Mabulu as
demeaning, saying he’s abusing his right to freedom of expression.

In one of the paintings, Zuma is seen performing a sexual
act on a naked businessman, Atul Gupta, in the cockpit of an
aircraft adorned with the flags of the ruling party.

A second painting, also
released this week, shows the president reclined in what appears to be a
throne, with his private parts exposed.

In a strongly worded statement, the ANC
says Mabulu’s exhibition is a grotesque act of vulgarity and disrespect; and a
blatant violation of the right to dignity of those portrayed.

Spokesperson
Khusela Sangoni says that Mr Mabulu has, over a long period time, sought to portray
black leaders in the form of baboons and, as he has in this case, crude
sexualisation.

The paintings have drawn criticism on social media and Sangoni
says the party hopes those advocating for media freedom will also speak out.In
his defence, Mabulu has dismissed the ruling party as ignorant, saying it
should stop looking at issues with a shallow mind.